A Perfect Nation?

A correction:

[With all due respect, I think it is all to do with certain desi thinking process that fails to recognize the good points. ]

i really hope that the writer gets his green card now....

what an effort he has put up here....

Re: # 43
Some people like to write based on their experiences. And everyone does not have similar experiences and opportunities to broaden their horizons. You are in desperate need to grow up and avoid childish outbursts just because someone cared to write a fair analysis on the US.

#42 Echo - See everything has to be read and taken in a certain context. I do not need to defend the writer, but your post is out of context. There are many US foreign policies that are open for debate and dissection. Thanks to the brethren for creating the 9/11 mess and creating issues for the rest of the muslim ummah. Why is it hard to admit and appreciate that the US is the only country where ``legal`` immigrants have done well all across the board ? Checkout the institutions, organizations or corporate sector, you would be amazed to find the number of Asians, Europeans and South asians. I am currently working on a project in financial services and I am taken aback by the number of Indians, Europeans and Hispanics at my client site. Going back to the writer`s point that you forgot to comprehend, the culture in this country does provide immense opportunities for the immigrants to grow both professionally and personally. With all due respect, I think it is all to do with the desi thinking process which can be quite despicable. It`s also something to do with appreciating the values and system of a non-Muslim society that causes pain to some. I do not want to take it any further, but one has to give the devil its due.

The U.S thuGGs are being served Crow again. May they rot sooner & may the world see their imperialism collapse ``live--and as it happens`` just as the USSR did.

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& this from this Islam-hate site.It is nice to see them talk like this.


Damage Is Done: The Bush administration’s bad Iran move
Filed under: Front Page, USA, Iran
Michael Rubin:

It did not take long for Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad to slap down Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s offer of direct talks. “Rice’s comments can be considered a propaganda move,” Ahmadinejad told the Islamic Republic News Agency.

Rice’s announcement that U.S. officials were prepared to both offer the Iranian regime new incentives and sit down with it was a strategic fumble. Not only did Rice provide Ahmadinejad with an opportunity to humiliate the “arrogant power” to his domestic audience, but she also undercut what little international credibility the U.S. retains. …

(See also The Moral Imperative of Freedom in Iran by Kenneth R. Timmerman)

Continue reading…

Cross-posted at Israpundit and netwmd.com

Iran, USA
Posted by Andrew Jaffee @ 7:41 am |

4 Comments »


Perhaps the Bush administration should consider why in the first place did it allow the India nuclear exchange deal to go through, as well as continued funding for Israel’s nuclear programme? The Iranian approach to diplomacy might be chronically capricious, but so is the immistakeable support and unquestioned endorsement of the Israeli position as a non-member of the NPT possessing nuclear capabilities by the United States.

The U.S. has to realise that since it has the largest stockpile of nuclear weapons as well as being the most advanced in terms of nuclear research, it has the de facto responsibility of setting an example of non-proliferation for other countries to follow. The problem with U.S. diplomacy, characterised by self-serving interest of late, has been a prevailing culture of double standards. Without a uniform policy front, I don’t think we can blame the Iranian regime for its scepticism and cynical dismissal of negotiations.

That is not to absolve or trivialise the Iranians of any responsibility; far from it. They are just as guilty as the U.S. in backtracking on their promises, surreptitiously advancing their interests under the guise of diplomacy and carrot-and-stick methodology. Having deceived the international community and betrayed the genuine good will of European negotiators of past and present, the Iranians should be blamed, and rightfully so for their innumerable transgressions which have undermined both the credibility of their counterparts in Europe as well as their own negotiators.

Iran promises to suspend nuclear enrichment on the table, yet clandestinely it pursues its agenda with unbridled enthusiasm.
America promises to alleviate the Palestinian crisis, yet blatantly funds Israel with weapons and cash to continue its brutalising and dehumanising of Palestinians with unchecked ambition.

Hypocrisy means the same to everyone, everywhere. Even to Iranians.

Comment by harrison — June 1, 2006 @ 10:05 am

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harrison,
I have a number grievances with US policies but funding of Israel is not one of them.
It seems you are a little irked by the fact that the US gives support to Israel. I could not help but notice that you begin and end with the issue.
One of the last statements you make is, quote:

America promises to alleviate the Palestinian crisis, yet blatantly funds Israel with weapons and cash to continue its brutalising and dehumanising of Palestinians with unchecked ambition.

Aside from the bad spelling (I’m not too good at that either, but try using “z” in the place of “s” more ) and the statement on America’s promise to “alleviate the Palestinian crisis” (I’m not sure what “promise” you are referring to specifically but often they do come with conditions);
What really is unreasonable about your charge that “[America]… funds Israel with weapons and cash to continue its brutalizing and dehumanizing of Palestinians“, is that Israel does not need anything from the US at all to do anything they wished to the Palestinians. It so happens that Israel is surrounded by hostile nations that are determined to see Israel wiped of the map. Israel’s military build up and US support has nothing to do with the Palestinians and everything to do with the neighborhood.

When was the last time Israeli nukes were used in a targeted attack on terrorist leaders? (you seem mostly concerned about Israeli nukes).
We all know that Israeli nukes hopefully are to be used only as a deterrent, or in the worst case scenario as a last resort if their very existence as a nation is in imminent danger.
The more conventional weaponry that Israel has the less likelyhood there will be a war or that they will ever use nuclear weapons. I say give them the best stuff and anything else they need along with the liberty to make it better if they can.

Comment by RandyTexas — June 1, 2006 @ 7:56 pm

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I do not think I need to apologise for my British spelling, which is exactly the form of English taught in my country, Singapore. So please refrain from calling it ‘bad’.

When was the last time Israeli nukes were used in a targeted attack on terrorist leaders? (you seem mostly concerned about Israeli nukes).

When was the last time any NPT adherents save for the U.S. actually employed the nuclear option at all? You state that “we” all know that Isralei nukes “hopefully” are to be used only as a deterrent, or in the worst case scenario as a last resort ‘if their very existence as a nation is in imminent danger’.

First of all, I don’t really think it is wise to make a sweeping statement in the name of “we”, or us. And ‘hopefully’ doesn’t come across as convincing - let’s hope the U.S. finds WMD in Iraq, let’s hope somehow Iraqis will greet U.S. soldiers with flowers and hugs for ‘liberating’ them. We’re talking about the nuclear option here, and it seems that whenever the deterrent argument is used to justify Israel’s possession of nuclear weapons, they will practise restraint; yet when it comes to Iran, the clerics will launch a nuclear war the moment they get hold of the weapons.

It really is ridiculous to say that somehow Israel will ever be in imminent danger of being wiped off the map. Its military troops are well-funded and equipped with modern technological weapons, so any sort of invasion, however unlikely in this era, will be easily dealt with. It has peace treaties with Jordan and Egypt to act as deterrents in this case. As for Syria and Lebanon, what has occurred so far is simply sporadic fighting at the border.

Can Israel really survive on its own and attack its neighbours with impunity if the U.S. wasn’t funding and giving it guarantees that the superpower will defend Israel if ever the latter comes under attack? Perhaps you are right, that Israel can easily purchase military weaponry and technology by itself; yet what about the international immunity that the U.S. has bestowed upon them? Why do you think Israel can get away with constant brutalisation of Palestinians (woefully inadequate press coverage on that) and human rights violations? The U.S. provides diplomatic cover for Israel. Why the need for an influential Israeli lobby in America then? I think it would be foolish to overlook U.S. complicity in the Palestine issue.

It is surprising to see that only “terrorists” and those “on the other side” are capable of threatening the existence of nations like the U.S. and Israel. Yet have we ever contemplated that countries like pre-war Iraq and Iran now have also viewed U.S. intervention as tantamount to a direct threat to their nation’s existence? Just because the Arab leaders do not voice out their opposition to the war in Iraq and perhaps in Iran does not give the U.S. justification to interfere in the Middle East, neither does it mean that Bashar al-Assad in Syria and Hosni Mubarak in Egypt are less afraid of eventual U.S. intervention than the mullahs in Iran, or Saddam when he was still ruling. Why can’t we grasp the possibility that people consider the U.S. and Israel as threats to their country’s existence?

Comment by harrison — June 1, 2006 @ 9:45 pm

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[…] Damage Is Done: The Bush administration s bad Iran move IsraPundit, Canada - 14 hours ago It did not take long for Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad to slap down Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice s offer of direct talks. […]

Pingback by Watching Iran » Blog Archive » Damage Is Done: The Bush administration s bad Iran move — June 1, 2006 @ 10:21 pm

aslam--that`s the greatness of the UK!

Netizen: there has been no Commie threat since the early 1990s--15 years now. The idea of free healthcare, free education et al. --ie. socialist medicine--is deeply entrenched in our mindset. no politician could even dream of saying they`d want a totally privatised insurance based health system and hope to be elected. even the right-wing Tories and even the ultra-right fascist BNP would not dare have that as one of their political targets.

A fair analysis!

Not only that, an optimistic write-up.

``Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness``

It is the pursuit of happiness that made many of us land on this soil. I guess it is great to have a purpose in life :)

Re: # 38

Thanks. All of us look at things from our unique perspective. A writer must try to present a balanced point of view. This is a very difficult thing indeed.

I still believe in the basic decency of human beings. I interact with American people and majority of them believe in the idea of fairness.

The US is not a Perfect Nation by any stretch of imagination. It certainly has the potential to become one. Nasim

(there is no point in spilling any more american blood for those uncivilized ingrates)

The ingrates did not invite them in the first place

Regards

In the aftermath of September 11, however, I notice that America is becoming more like a Third World country


Oh boy...At first, it seemed like this was a screen by an AIDS(America Is Doomed Syndrome) afflicted nut....but imagine my surprise to read a well written and sensible piece..

Has chowk been hacked or something? I thought the AIDS inflicted had a monopoly here....

Dear writer,
America is a great country, land of opportunity, land of freedom, land where eagles soar. True, all is true, but like anyother state America too has its skeletons hid in its cupboard. Worlds biggest polluter, refuses to sign the Kyoto protocoal or even admit the existence of global warming and it adverse impact.

Rise and fall of empires is a great book by Paul Kennedy.

Lottery millionaire gets housing benefit
By Times Online
naqsh
it could only happen in uk

``A Lottery millionaire is receiving thousands of pounds in housing benefit by charging her two unemployed children rent.

Freda Cowley bought her son and daughter a house each after scooping the jackpot. The 46-year-old mother of five charges them both rent and because they are unemployed, they claim housing benefit from their local council - meaning the taxpayer foots the bill.``

(the times)

How the thuGGs & their coalition being called on the carpet by the great Islamic Republic of Iran.

and then there are cantonement & colony canines yelping to be invited to the white-Kennel at 149 Pennsylvannia ave.
anything to get a job, anything to lead comfortable life, anything to feel farangi-like: O what these napaak-kuttaas won`t do slurp the drooling-diarreah of their white-massas.

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Iran summons Cdn. envoy after erroneous story

Updated Thu. May. 25 2006 9:24 AM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Canada`s ambassador to Iran was summoned to the Foreign Ministry after a Canadian newspaper published an incorrect story claiming Iranian law would force Jews and Christians to wear badges.

The article, published in the National Post on May 19, caused an international uproar and prompted Iran`s foreign ministry to summon Ambassador Gordon Venner on Wednesday.

The Post, a long-time supporter of Israel and critic of Tehran, later admitted the story was untrue and apologized, pledging to run more checks before publishing such articles in the future.

The newspaper ran the story on its front page along with a large photo from 1944 which showed a Hungarian couple wearing the yellow stars that the Nazis forced Jews to sew to their clothing.

``Is Iran turning into the new Nazi Germany? Share your opinion online,`` the newspaper asked readers, after printing tough anti-Iran comments from prominent Jewish groups. 

The Post claimed it was quoting Iranian exiles saying Iran`s conservative parliament was debating a draft law that would force Jews and Christians to wear special patches of coloured cloth to distinguish them from Muslims.

Iranian officials have denied that any such provision existed.

On the day the story was published, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that such a dress code could ``remind people of Nazi Germany.``

``Unfortunately, we`ve seen enough already from the Iranian regime to suggest that it is very capable of this kind of action,`` he added.

However, Harper stepped back from those comments following a speech in London, Ont., on Wednesday, stressing that before he spoke last week he cautioned that the facts of the story had yet to be verified.

``I`m glad to hear that the government of Iran is not considering this,`` he told reporters.

A copy of the draft law discussed by Iran`s conservative parliament last week was obtained by the Associated Press Wednesday.

AP said the draft made no mention of religious minorities or any requirement of special attire for them.

Post apology

Douglas Kelly, editor-in-chief of the National Post, said the erroneous story was based on a column by Amir Taheri, an Iranian author and journalist, and two expatriate Iranians living in Canada.

``We apologize for the mistake and for the consternation it has caused not just National Post readers, but the broader public who read the story,`` Kelly wrote in the newspaper.

``We should have pushed the sources we did have for more corroboration of the information they were giving us.``

Taheri said the National Post ``jumped the gun`` and misinterpreted his original column.

But on his website, Taheri said that sources told him that the concept of badges for religious minorities has been discussed for several years.

Meanwhile, an Iranian Foreign Affairs Department spokesman confirmed Ambassador Venner had been summoned, but refused to say what was discussed at the meeting, AP reported.

Relations between Canada and Iran cooled after the 2003 death of Iranian-Canadian photographer Zahra Kazemi, who was arrested by Iranian authorities while covering a demonstration.

In November, an appeals court upheld the acquittal of an Iranian intelligence agent and ruled Kazemi`s death was not premeditated.

Another Canadian-Iranian intellectual was arrested early this month in Tehran.

According to news reports, Ramin Jahanbegloo, head of the office of contemporary studies at the private Cultural Research Bureau in Tehran, and a well-known philosopher and writer in Iran, has been charged with espionage and violating security measures.

Canadian officials are trying to secure his freedom.

hamidm #21 Wow!! Dont tell all this to arjun this or else the tremors from the cognitive dissonance alone will jar loose all remaining screws in his head.

#22 Red Indians

Say that to an American Indian in his face, and he will scalp you. In other words, you just used a word that American Indians consider to be insulting.

As for white men speaking with forked tongues - I guess brown men like Musharaff and Zia are the epitomy of the ecstasy when it comes to speaking the truth.

#26 `` in the EU we have free education, free health, and free social security``

There is no free lunch. and education, health and social security money do not grow trees.

The most civilised countries--with the most individual freedom (if that is our yardstick)--are the Scandinavian countries and those of Western Europe.

Indeed, imho, Europe is much more civilised: a civilisation is judged on how it treats its poorest and most vulnerable citizens: in the EU we have free education, free health, and free social security (all at the point of use). Compare this to the USA which despite being richer than all of the EU combined lacks all of these things.

That`s why I`m a proud European!